Method of forming integrally-joined sheets of dissimilar metals



W. H. KLOCKE Aug. 5, 1930.

METHOD OF FORMING INTEGRALLY JOINED SHEETS OF DISSIMILAR METALS Filed Sept. 6, 1927 III!lIIIIHIHINIHIHIllllflll! m w WM m C 0v K H m M W zfwi Patented Aug. 5, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM H. KLOCKE, OF WOODHAVEN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE CLEVELAND GRAPHITE BRONZE COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO METHOD OF FORMING INTEGRALLY-JOINED SHEETS 0F DISSIMILAR METALS Application filed September 6, 1927. Serial No. 217,660.

The present invention, relating as indicated to a method of forming integrally joined sheets of dissimilar metals, is particularly directed to a method of forming sheets or strips consisting of two united and dissimilar metals into such forms as semi-cylindrical and-other shapes without causing a separation of one metal from the other, and without causing any irregularity in the movement of the metal for the two sheets as they are formed which might produce eccentricityin the finished article.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims; the annexed drawing and the following description setting forth in detail one approved method of carrying out the invention, such disclosed mode, however, constituting but one of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing Fig. 1 is a plan View of a composite sheet of bearing material consisting of two dissimilar, but integrally united, sheets; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same after being worked into semi-cylindrical form; and Fig. 4 is a similar view of the finished bearing.

In cases where integrally united sheets of dissimilar metals are formed into semicylindrical articles from flat stock the metal which is on the inside of the finished articles is of course present in an excess amount, since it does not require as much metal to form the inner portion of a circular bearing as the outer portion. Since the two sheets are integrally united together over their entire surface there is bound to be a movement of the metal of the inner sheet during the formation operations. This results elther in a breaking loose of one sheet from the other or a decided flow of the metal 'of the inner sheet both circumferentially and longitudinally as it is being formed into a cylindrical or semicylindrical article. During this flow of the metal it is extremely difficult to maintain concentricity between the outer surface of the outer sheet and the inner surface of the inner sheet and as soon as concentricity is maintained further accurate operations have to be performed on the inner sheet and also the inner sheet has to be trimmed at its ends where the metal has flowed out beyond the ends of the outer strip.

The present method is intended to avoid these difficulties in the forming of integrally united sheets of dissimilar metals into semi-cylindrical articles for use as bearings. My improved method consists, briefly stated, in forming a series of transversely extending slots in the exposed surface of the metal which is to form the bearing surface of the finished article, then forming this grooved composite strip into a semi-cylindrical article, and then removmg the metal of the inner surface to the depth of the bottom of the original grooves. By forming the grooves, space is left into which the metal may flow during the forming operation without causing any rupture between the two metals and without producing any end flow. concentricity is maintained, first, because the inner metal is allowed an opportunity to flow instead of being restrained, as is the case in the ordinary methods, and also by the removal of the metal between the grooves after the forming operation, this final machining making it possible to maintain accurate concentricity.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 a composite sheet consisting of a strip 1 of a suitable supporting or backing up metal, such as iron, steel or the like, and a sheet of softer bearing metal, such as Babbitt or similar material 2, these sheets being integrally united together over their entire surface. I first form a series of paralthe metal between the grooves or slots removed and with a perfectly smooth cylindrical inner surface 5, which is precisely concentric with the outer surface 6 of the strip 1.

By this method it is possible to avoid one of the most common difficulties in the manufacture of lined bearings, and since such bearlngs are commonly machlned after forming in any event, no additional operation is required at this stage, while the forming of the grooves can be'done very expeditiously and economically at the time when the lining metal is applied to the supporting metal, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the manufacture of such bearin s.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the process herein disclosed, provlded the step or steps stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated step or steps be employed.

- I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. In a method of making semi-cylindrical bearings from composite sheets of integrally joined dissimilar metals, the steps which consist in forming a series of transversely extending grooves in the exposed and subsequently inner surface of said composite sheet,

then pressing said flat sheet into semi-cylindrical form, and then removing the metalbetween said grooves to the depth thereof concentric with the outer surface of said semicylindrical article.

2. In a method of making semi-cylindrical bearings from composite sheets of integrally joined dissimilar metals, the steps which consist in forming a series of transversely extending parallel equidistantly spaced grooves in the exposed and subsequently inner surface of said composite sheet, then forming said sheet into semi-cylindrical form while allowing the metal of the inner sheet to flow into such grooves, and then removing the metal between such grooves to the depth thereof concentric with the oute surface of said article.

Signed by me, this 25th day of January,

WILLIAM H. KLOCKE. 

